Utah news

• Rowers race in paddling pumpkin parade

  22-10-2016 23:44
  
  Rowers race atop their giant pumpkins at the sixth annual Ginormous Pumpkin Regatta held at Oquirrh Lake in South Jordan on Saturday. Pumpkins weighing between 500 and nearly 1,500 pounds were converted into watercraft and raced across the 67-acre freshwater lake at Daybreak. Growers began making preparations for the regatta months ago as they meticulously cared for their seedlings in anticipation of the event. At the official weigh-in several weeks ago, Ed Dennis took home the grand prize with
  
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• Why the Salt Lake City mayor's race matters — to the city, Utah and the nation

  13-08-2019 14:27
  The Salt Lake City-County Building photographed from inside the Matheson Courthouse on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.Steve Griffin, Deseret NewsThe Salt Lake City-County Building photographed from inside the Matheson Courthouse on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.Steve Griffin, Deseret NewsThe Salt Lake City-County Building photographed from inside the Matheson Courthouse on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.Steve Griffin, Deseret NewsThe Salt Lake City-County Building photographed from inside the Matheson Courthouse on Monda
  
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• Boulder falls on 70-year-old woman hiking in Utah

  13-08-2019 06:43
  A 70-year-old woman was injured Monday when a boulder fell on her while she was hiking, police said.Stock imageOAKLEY, Summit County — A 70-year-old woman was injured Monday when a boulder fell on her while she was hiking, police said.Shari Richins was about 100 feet from Hayden Peak in eastern Summit County, about 60 miles from Oakley, when the boulder fell on her, according to Summit County Sheriff's Lt. Andrew Wright.He said officials believe Richins may have a broken femur, as well as
  
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• Photos: New school year, new haircut

  13-08-2019 04:12
  TJ, of TJ's Touch, gives Adam Omer a free back-to-school haircut at My Salon Suite in Taylorsville on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsBrooke Beverly, of Field of Beauty, listens to Mayson Cannon as he tells her what kind of haircut he would like as kids get free back-to-school haircuts at My Salon Suite in Taylorsville on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsAdam Omer watches as TJ, of TJ's Touch, gives him a free back-to-school haircut at My Salon Suite in T
  
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• Arizona man dies in apparent Lake Powell drowning

  13-08-2019 04:11
  The body of a missing Arizona man has been found after he apparently drowned in Lake Powell, officials said Monday.Stock imagePAGE, Arizona — The body of a missing Arizona man has been found after he apparently drowned in Lake Powell, officials said Monday.Albert Shortman, 33, was reported missing about 9:30 a.m. Sunday, the National Park Service said. The Cow Springs resident had last been heard from the previous morning.His body was found near the Wahweap Swim Beach in Page, Ariz., durin
  
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• Prosecutors portray Utahn as drug kingpin; defense says he wasn't head of organization

  13-08-2019 04:04
  Aaron Shamo is charged with continuing criminal enterprise, importation and manufacturing of a controlled substance, possession of drugs with intent to distribute, drug trafficking and money laundering. He is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail. The Cottonwood Heights man is accused of making and selling fake painkillers, including fentanyl-laced pills that allegedly caused a man's death. His trial began Monday in federal court and is expected to last four weeks.Salt Lake County JailThis 201
  
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• 'Extreme Makeover' show building home in Utah for refugee family that fled Congo

  13-08-2019 03:48
  Chad Venable, Wadman Corporation project director, works on a home being built by HGTV's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," in Ogden on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019. The house will be given to Anifah Barobi and her family, including her nephew Ashraf Kambere. Barobi, her daughter, Kambere, and his siblings were reunited at a refugee camp in Uganda after fleeing the Democratic Republic of the Congo where Kambere's parents were murdered. After years in the refugee camp, they were all relocated to Utah tog
  
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• Developer plans to make Utah site the first new full-service ski resort in country since 1980

  13-08-2019 03:29
  Looking east toward Jordanelle Reservoir, Extell Development team members show the area where they plan to build the new Mayflower Mountain Resort near Deer Valley on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsKurt Krieg, vice president with Extell Development Co., answers a few questions as he gives a tour of the area where they plan to build the new Mayflower Mountain Resort near Deer Valley on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsThe area planned for the new Mayflowe
  
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• New appeal denied: Is Utah inmate Ron Lafferty months away from a firing squad?

  13-08-2019 03:16
  Death row inmate Ron Lafferty in 2011.Utah Department of CorrectionsRon Yengich, left, works with his client Ron Lafferty in 4th District Court in Provo on Sept. 25, 2002.Stuart Johnson, Deseret NewsSALT LAKE CITY — The man convicted of committing one of Utah's most infamous double murders has lost his latest round of appeals, putting him another step closer to a firing squad execution.Ronald Lafferty, 78, was seeking a certificate that would allow him to make an appeal to another court. O
  
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• In aftermath of development fight, southwest Salt Lake County mayors launch 'unprecedented' planning effort

  13-08-2019 02:56
  FILE - The Olympia Hills development was proposed just west of Herriman, beyond the telephone poles in this photo taken from Herriman High School on Thursday, June 14, 2018.James Wooldridge, Deseret NewsRIVERTON — More than a year after the first iteration of the nearly 8,800-unit, 930-acre Olympia Hills development near Herriman shocked and infuriated southwest Salt Lake County residents, a gathering Monday marked a sort of "Kumbaya" moment between city mayors and county officials.The sam
  
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• Investigators looking for person who started fire in Utah church

  13-08-2019 02:31
  Elder Max Wells, a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, talks to police about a fire in a Latter-day Saint meetinghouse at 1715 W. 1600 North in Layton on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsLayton police detective Brett Felion works at the scene of a fire at a meetinghouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 1715 W. 1600 North in Layton on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsCaution tape hangs in front of a meetinghouse of
  
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• Fast-growing Divvy dives into new facility construction in Utah

  13-08-2019 02:02
  Divvy, one of Utah's fastest growing tech firms, broke ground on a new 150,000-square-foot headquarters in Draper on Monday. The company has innovated an expense account management platform that has attracted over 3,000 clients, and some $250 million in venture capital investment, in less than two years.DivvyDivvy, one of Utah's fastest growing tech firms, broke ground on a new 150,000-square-foot headquarters in Draper on Monday. The company has innovated an expense account management platform
  
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• What needs to happen to clean Utah's air?

  13-08-2019 01:23
  FILE - A hazy view of the Wasatch mountains is barely visible in Salt Lake City on Thursday, August 23, 2018.Laura Seitz, Deseret NewsSALT LAKE CITY — A technical team of nearly 40 members is probing the best science-based solutions for cutting Utah's air pollution so those recommendations can be delivered to Utah lawmakers in mid-December.The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah was tasked by the Utah Legislature to look at the problem for a roadmap of possible legisl
  
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• Northern Utah funeral home director sentenced to prison

  13-08-2019 00:26
  FILE - Lonnie Nyman appears in 3rd District Court on Monday in Salt Lake City, to plead guilty to charges including enticement of a minor, and witness tampering.Eli Lucero, Deseret NewsSALT LAKE CITY — The owner of a Cache County funeral home who admitted to arranging to meet a boy for sexual activity, and who then wrote bad checks to get out of jail, is headed to prison.Lonnie Kent Nyman, 45, of Millville, Cache County, — the owner and president of Nyman Funeral Home — was sen
  
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• Montana man killed in rollover crash on I-15

  13-08-2019 00:03
  Fred Baker, 75, of Montana was killed in a rollover crash on I-15 near Holden on Monday, Aug. 12, 2019.Utah Department of Public SafetyHOLDEN, Millard County — A Montana man was killed Monday when his vehicle rolled on I-15 near Holden.Fred E. Baker, 75, of Deer Lodge, was driving south when he lost control and started weaving back and forth across the highway, the Department of Public Safety said. Baker's converted van went off the road and rolled once when he tried to steer it back onto
  
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• Utah police say fireworks mistaken for gunfire

  12-08-2019 23:25
  Police in Bountiful are searching for the person responsible for setting off fireworks in a park restroom, which were mistaken for gunfire.Stock imageBOUNTIFUL — Police in Bountiful are searching for the person responsible for setting off fireworks in a park restroom, which were mistaken for gunfire.The Bountiful City Police Department said Monday that investigators are working to identify a suspect seen on surveillance video last week at a city park.According to police, someone lit large
  
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• Utah band volunteer parent charged with offering to pay student for nude pictures

  12-08-2019 22:58
  Luis Mendez-Gamino, 23, of Lindon, was charged Monday, Aug. 12, 2019, in 4th District Court with 14 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, a second-degree felony, and six counts of criminal solicitation, a class A misdemeanor. Investigators say Mendez-Gamino, a volunteer parent who worked with a band at Pleasant Grove High School, offered to pay a student money in exchange for naked photos.Utah County JailPLEASANT GROVE — A volunteer parent who worked with a high school band was charged
  
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• Man says his brother admitted slitting West High student's throat

  12-08-2019 22:41
  Shaun FrenchSalt Lake County JailBaleigh Bagshaw, 15, was killed inside her house while on the phone with her mother on May 7, 2018. Shaun French, 24, is charged with aggravated murder in her death.FacebookSalt Lake City Police DepartmentSALT LAKE CITY — Cody French asked his brother, "Did you do it?"His brother, Shaun Patrick French, replied "Yes," and "that he slit her throat," Cody French testified from the witness stand Monday.The testimony came during a preliminary hearing for Shaun F
  
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• Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs' mental health questioned

  12-08-2019 21:58
  Imprisoned polygamist leader Warren Jeffs has allegedly suffered a mental breakdown and isn't fit to give a deposition in a sex abuse case against him, according to a recent court filing.Tony Gutierrez, Associated PressSALT LAKE CITY — Imprisoned polygamist leader Warren Jeffs has allegedly suffered a mental breakdown and isn't fit to give a deposition in a sex abuse case against him, according to a recent court filing.Forcing Jeffs to testify would be "futile," said lawyers representing a
  
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• Pignanelli and Webb: Much is at stake in Tuesday's municipal primary elections

  12-08-2019 20:11
  Jim Dabakis makes a point during a debate with other Salt Lake City mayoral candidates in Salt Lake City on Monday, July 15, 2019. The debate was broadcast live from KSL-TV studios.Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsAlthough only a fraction of Utahns live in Salt Lake City, many follow the fascinating politics of the capital city as if they were residents. Tuesday is primary election day for the state's municipalities. Here's a look at Salt Lake City, with a glance at other cities.Among a large fiel
  
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• For this former Utahn, directing the new 'Angry Birds' was a gig 20 years in the making

  12-08-2019 15:00
  Thurop Van Orman, director of "The Angry Birds Movie 2," grew up in Cottonwood Heights.Michael Lewis PhotographyDirector Thurop Van Orman, from left, film producer John Cohen and actor Josh Gad at an event for "The Angry Birds Movie 2" in Cannes, France.John Phillips, Getty Images EuropeSilver (Rachel Bloom), from left, Bomb (Danny McBride), Mighty Eagle (Peter Dinklage), Red (Jason Sudeikis), Chuck (Josh Gad), Leonard (Bill Hader) and Courtney (Awkwafina) in a scene from "The Angry Birds Movie
  
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• How this Utahn put the disabled back in the driver's seat

  12-08-2019 14:00
  Rob Parsons, a paraplegic who builds race cars, talks about what makes him do what he does at Lyfe Motorsport's shop in Millcreek on Wednesday, July 10, 2019.Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsRob Parsons, a paraplegic who builds race cars, shows the hand controls he built to enable him to operate the car at Lyfe Motorsport's shop in Millcreek on Tuesday, July 16, 2019.Scott G Winterton, Deseret NewsRob Parsons, a paraplegic who builds race cars, talks about what makes him do what he does at Lyfe Mo
  
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• Housing development for UVU students underway despite delay, increased costs

  12-08-2019 04:45
  Construction workers move gravel pouring out of a truck while building a tunnel that will be used to get from a new student housing complex to Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsNicholas Sarabria and other construction workers build a student housing complex next to Utah Valley University in Orem on Wednesday, July 17, 2019.Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsConstruction workers build a student housing complex next to Utah Valley University in Orem on
  
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• Those early to bed and early to rise more common than you might think, Utah study says

  12-08-2019 04:00
  Betsy Thomas, who has advanced sleep phase syndrome, poses for a photo at her home in West Jordan on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019.Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsElizabeth Thomas helps her grandmother-in-law, Betsy Thomas, walk outside of Betsy's home in West Jordan on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. Betsy Thomas has advanced advanced sleep phase syndrome.Kristin Murphy, Deseret NewsBetsy Thomas, who has advanced sleep phase syndrome, poses for a photo at her home in West Jordan on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019.Kristin Murphy
  
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• More Utah women are graduating with STEM degrees, but not at the same rate as men

  12-08-2019 03:41
  According to a Utah Women in STEM Education research brief released Thursday by the Utah Women & Leadership Project, Utah women make up 44% of the state's workforce and their numbers in STEM fields remain "particularly low."Adobe StockOREM — There's an upward trend of Utah women completing STEM-related studies, but researchers say they are still underrepresented in the state's STEM labor pool and their completion rates are lagging behind the national average.According to a Utah Women i
  
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• Why an oil and gas alliance is raising money for Utah's Canyonlands

  12-08-2019 03:18
  Airport Tower, upper center in shadow, is seen from Buck Canyon Overlook at Canyonlands National Park in 2002.Stuart Johnson, Deseret NewsStar streaks over the Dollhouse in the Maze in Canyonlands National Park in 2002.Ravell Call, Deseret NewsCanyonlands National Park.Utah Office of TourismCanyonlands National Park at night.Canyonlands National ParkSALT LAKE CITY — It may be a modest goal of just $5,000, but a group of independent oil and gas producers launched a first-ever fundraising ca
  
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• Accused Utah pillmaker linked to fentanyl death goes on trial in federal court

  12-08-2019 02:42
  The DEA suspects Aaron Shamo ran a global operation based largely on a synthetic opioid known as fentanyl, which is 50 times more powerful than heroin and linked to overdose deaths across the country. Investigators say he represented the rise of a new kind of drug dealer and an alarming shift in the way Americans were getting illicit narcotics. His trial starts Monday.Family photoIn November of 2016, after conducting surveillance on Aaron Shamo for weeks, the DEA and local cops raided his Cotton
  
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• New program helps Utah farmers with disabilities

  12-08-2019 02:10
  Randall Bagley, who is the new coordinator for the AgrAbility program at Utah State University, poses for a portrait on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, in Logan. Bagley joined AgrAbility of Utah as its program coordinator in March. His office is on the USU campus, and while he says he’s still learning the ropes, he’s found the job very fulfilling.Eli Lucero, The Herald JournalLOGAN — Agriculture can be as much a lifestyle as it is an occupation. Farmers often don't retire — the
  
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• An undocumented veteran’s journey to U.S. citizenship

  12-08-2019 01:32
  Daniel Torres is photographed at a Sandy park on Monday, July 29, 2019. Torres, who was undocumented when he served as a Marine in Iraq, has had a long road to obtain his U.S. citizenship.Steve Griffin, Deseret NewsDaniel Torres is pictured with his dog at the Sandy Dog Park on Monday, July 29, 2019. Torres, who was undocumented when he served as a Marine in Iraq, has had a long road to obtain his U.S. citizenship.Steve Griffin, Deseret NewsDaniel Torres is pictured with his dog at the Sandy Dog
  
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• Utah County man accused of child sex abuse during 'dares' and 'challenges'

  12-08-2019 01:22
  Lincoln A. GygiUtah County JailOREM — A Pleasant Grove man was arrested after a girl who had lived in his neighborhood reported he "dared" and "challenged" her and a boy to take their clothes off many times three years ago, according to police.Lincoln A. Gygi, 30, was arrested Thursday and booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of 10 counts of lewdness involving a child and five counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child from a person in a position of trust, court documents stat
  
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